by Barbara Bard
Eirlys took a step forward. “I want tae leave. I believe that a new life is what best suits me. But I will nae be able tae live that life well if I ken that I left people behind…”
Lord Torstein, looking at his clean and somewhat youthful looking appearance, turned away from the mirror and stepped toward Eirlys. “We run a great risk if we go back into the Highlands. There is a chance that Sir Jessup will find us and finish what he started.”
Eirlys nodded. “Then it is a risk that we maist take…”
Lord Torstein knew Eirlys’s words to be true. He couldn’t leave the Bairds behind. He would never be able to live with himself if he lived the rest of his days out thinking that they had perished. After a moment, he nodded, looked Eirlys in the eye, and said: “You’re right.”
Not long after, Lord Torstein gave word to the man who was to take them in his vessel to England that he needed to wait three more days. After securing the proper funds to keep him stationed in his current spot on the harbor, Lord Torstein and Eirlys proceeded to acquire the necessary supplies for their trek to the Bairds.
They found a local blacksmith in the seaside village, asleep in a chair with his soot-covered hands clutching onto a bottle of liquor.
“My good man,” Lord Torstein called out, awakening the man from his stupor.
The blacksmith nodded, wiped the dribble from his mouth, and stood. “Aye?” he said.
“I require weapons. Two swords. Chainmail. All the necessary provisions to fight.”
The blacksmith nodded and placed down the bottle. “That I hae. But it shall cost ye.”
Lord Torstein, having procured funds from the satchel of coins that were failed to be taken off him during his interrogation with Sir Jessup, hung the bag out for the blacksmith. “Then you shall have any and all you require,” he said.
The blacksmith took the bag and counted out the contents, more than happy with the amount tucked away inside. “So, it shall be!” he exclaimed.
“We also require horses,” Lord Torstein said. “I believe I saw four outside of your shop.”
“Take the best two,” the blacksmith said, still counting his money. “I shall provide ye with the best ones.”
“And scran,” Eirlys added. “Enough fer two days ride.”
The blacksmith nodded. “Aye. Me wife runs the tavern. She can supply ye with what ye need. That and a good bottle of whiskey tae gae along with it!” He laughed, amused at his own drunkenness and a payday that he had not woken up that morning expecting to have.
Eirlys and Lord Torstein secured all of their supplies, and one hour later, they mounted their horses in fresh garb and with fresh supplies and weapons for their trek back through the Highlands.
“It is two days ride from here,” Lord Torstein said. “We shall ride east. We will stop when it is required.”
Eirlys drew a breath. “I would be lying if I said I was nae nervous.”
A nod. “Me as well. But you are right in forcing this decision. These people require our help.”
Eirlys cast a look over her shoulder at the harbor. “I want this new life,” she said. “I dinnae think I would, but I dae.”
Another nod from Lord Torstein. “Then let us finish this,” he said. “And then we can both forget about this place and all of the pain it has brought about.”
They bucked their horses in sync, both of them riding alongside one another as the wind licked at their skin and the gray clouds overhead signaled a clap of thunder that set a foreboding tone for their ride back through the Highlands.
Sir Jessup was in his quarters with Sir Renly. As Sir Jessup swigged at his wine, Sir Renly spread out a map across the table and stood back.
“This,” Sir Renly said, “is every territory that has been charted for one-hundred miles in this region. Since we were unable to locate where the Bairds’ village is, we will have to do our best deduction of where it may lay.”
Sir Jessup pointed to the map. “It cannot be east,” he said. “That is all friendly territory. As is the north.”
Sir Renly pointed to the west. “I feel that this area might be the best to search in. It is a wide and expansive amount of area, but based on the movements of our people, I have an inkling that this village rests somewhere in this area.”
“How long will it take to search?”
“Three days in total.”
Sir Jessup crossed his arms. “We run the risk of encountering Highlanders who may tell the Bairds that we are searching for them.”
“Indeed,” Sir Renly said, “but we also run the risk of Lord Torstein doing the same. It is quite possible that he has already arrived at their location.”
Sir Jessup squinted and shook his head. “Yes,” he said. “Yes, I believe you may be right. All of that standing, it forces our hand. We must move sooner rather than later.”
“Should we split up two separate groups to cover the territory to the west?”
“No, I do not want to run the risk of losing any of our men. Things will get too messy. We will inform our people of our intentions, and then we shall set out tonight to enforce those intentions.” He stepped away from the map.
Sir Renly sat on the end of the table and folded his arms. “And what be our intentions?”
Sir Jessup shrugged. “To find the location of the Bairds.”
“Yes, I know, but I mean past that. When we do discover their location, when we finally are face-to-face with them—what then?”
Sir Jessup took a moment to answer. “We will do the king’s bidding.”
“The king’s bidding is to slaughter them all, Jonathan.”
“I am aware.”
“And you are fine with this?”
Sir Jessup took another moment. “Say what is on your mind, friend.”
Sir Renly stood up and walked toward Sir Jessup. “We give them the opportunity to surrender,” he said. “We give them a chance to put down their arms. We take them in, quietly, peacefully. Without bloodshed.”
Sir Jessup shook his head. “You know as well as I do that they will not give in easily.”
Sir Renly sighed. “Then if they do not, we will be forced to take up arms. Either way, we shall accomplish our mission. After that, we can figure out how to go about telling the king of Marcus’ demise.”
“Have you spoken to his men in the cell?”
A nod. “They have agreed to comply. They fear you so. And they fear that they will face consequences if the king or Marcus’ father discovers that they failed to protect him.”
“Good…very good.”
Sir Jessup took another swig of wine and lingered toward the window. “I am finished after this.”
Sir Renly squinted. “What do you mean?”
“I do not wish to fight anymore. I will relieve my command as soon as this campaign is completed.”
Sir Renly became nervous at the prospect of being without his friend at his side. “Are you sure?”
A nod from Sir Jessup. “Quite sure. I have seen enough death and destruction in my time, my friend.” He looked at Sir Renly. “You are right in your assessment of me. I am not a ruthless man…but I know I am the enemy. I wish to separate myself from this and start life anew once we have completed this task. Nothing more will be said on the matter.”
Sir Renly’s mouth was open, but no words came out. Sir Jessup came up to him, placed a hand on his shoulder, and said: “You have been a good friend to me. I cannot thank you enough for your service and friendship.”
Sir Renly had no words—but he nodded in reply.
“Come,” Sir Jessup said, moving toward the door. “The time has come to inform the men.”
Twenty minutes later, every knight Sir Jessup’s employed was gathered at attention as he spoke to them from on top of the balcony.
“My friends,” Sir Jessup said, “the time has come to finish this strenuous campaign. Tonight, we will depart to the west and seek out the location of the Highlanders we have been looking for. When we find them, and w
e will find them, we allow them the opportunity to surrender to us.”
The knights stood tall and silent, willing to do whatever Sir Jessup asked of them.
“This ends now,” Sir Jessup said. “We will no longer drag this matter out as we have for so many years. I commend you all for your service, and I ask that you heed my words as we set about finishing this once and for all.
“You have left your families behind. You have put your lives on hold for this campaign, and I say to you now, I promise you with all that I can that the day has finally come for you to cease missing out on your lives.” He nodded at the group of knights in approval. “You are the best that the crown has to offer, and I ask you now to take up arms one final time to end this madness.”
The knights then dispersed and set about organizing. As soon as the sun fell, and dressed in his battle armor, Sir Jessup mounted his steed alongside Sir Renly and took a tally of the one-hundred-plus men gathered behind them.
Sir Jessup was ready. Ready to finish what others had failed to. With his hand held high in the air, he signaled for the brigade to march forward, and shouted: “We ride!”
Chapter 27
Gavina was seated in front of Isla and Finlay in their cabin. She couldn’t help but remark how familial it felt, her family seated in front of her like parents with a pensive look on both of their faces, and no words exchanged between them for several moments.
Finlay kept tossing glances at his wife and hoping that she would speak first. Gavina, arms crossed, finally shrugged and said: “Clearly something is on yer mind.”
Finlay nearly laughed. “Well,” he said, “ye just stopped an execution from taking place. Clearly ye had a reason.”
Gavina hung her head. “I dinnae what ye want me tae say.”
“Say what is on yer mind,” Isla said.
Gavina’s hands were shaking. She rubbed them to try and stave it off. “Ye will nae like it.”
“Say it anyway.”
Gavina stood, her arms still crossed as she lingered near a window. The time had come to tell the truth. She knew that. She just never thought it would be so difficult for her to express her feelings. “There is something about him,” she said.
“Christian,” Finlay clarified, though he knew there was no need to.
Gavina nodded.
Isla drew a breath. “Ye love him. Dae ye nae?”
Gavina turned around, slowly, looked at her family, and nodded. Finlay sighed, knowing that this was the truth before it had ever been spoken out loud. He knew Gavina. He knew what certain looks in her eyes meant, and he knew what was in her heart the moment she had arrived back at the village with Christian.
“Well,” Isla said, looking at Finlay. “Where dae we gae fae here?”
“Ye cannae kill Christian,” Gavina protested before Finlay had a chance to answer. “I beg of ye.”
“He presents a threat, Gavina,” Finlay replied.
“In yer eyes he does. But I promise ye, he is on our side. He means us nae harm.”
“But look at what has befallen us in recent times as a result of his presence.”
“It is nae Christian who is the one that has caused our suffering. It is Sir Jessup, him and his army.”
“But Christian—”
“Is a disgraced Sassenach knight. And he loves me. And I love him.” Gavina sighed. “I dinnae plan this. This is nae how I expected things tae gae!”
Isla rested her hand on top of her sister’s. “Nae one is blaming ye,” she said, trying to comfort her. “That is how life goes.”
“And ours,” Finlay interjected, “is noo at a risk.”
“If ye think,” Gavina said, “that Christian’s presence here will add tae our strife, ye are wrong. Killing him would be a mistake. He is here tae help us. That is all he wishes tae do.”
Isla smiled. “And what will he dae noo that we hae just tried tae end his life? Will he nae sour on us after that stay of execution.”
Gavina stood proud. “Let me talk tae him,” she said. “I can assure him that nae harm will befall him. I merely ask fer yer guarantee that this is the case. Christian can provide us with knowledge of Sir Jessup and his men. He can serve as an extra hand tae fight if need be.”
Finlay thought about it. He looked at his wife. “What dae ye think?”
Isla took a moment to process it all as well. “She is right,” she said. “But we maist make sure that he does nae harbor a grudge after what has taken place.”
Gavina nodded. “Aye,” she said. “I dinnae believe that he will.”
Moments later, she was headed toward the cell in the stable. Christian, sipping at water that was provided to him by Lachlan, felt weary and depleted from all that had taken place. Lachlan, standing in the corner, perked up as Gavina walked into the room.
Christian shook his head. “Are you here to kill me?” he asked.
Gavina touched Lachlan on the arm. “Would ye excuse us fer a moment?”
Lachlan nodded, turned, and left, leaving only Gavina and Christian in the room. Gavina said nothing for a few moments, wringing her fingers as she approached Christian’s cell.
“Are ye alright?” Gavina asked after a moment.
Christian shook his head again. “I cannot believe you would even ask that.”
“Finlay has agreed tae spare yer life.”
“Comforting.”
“It is true. I hae convinced him that ye are nae a threat.”
Christian stood and looked away. “Until he changes his mind, I’m sure…”
Gavina took a step closer. “Christian…Christian, look at me.”
Christian turned around and waited for the rest.
“I was wrong,” Gavina said, hanging her head. “Ye were right.”
“About what?”
“Aboot everything. Aboot all of it.”
He crossed his arms defensively. “Perhaps you’ll have to be more specific.”
Gavina could sense that Christian was going to make her work for it. By God, she understood why.
“It took me too long,” she said. “Tae long too recognize that the words ye spoke were true. I thought that ye were misguided. That nae a thing was kindling between us.” She approached the cell and grabbed a hold of the bars. “But they are true. All of it. Everything.”
Christian looked her in the eye. “Say it then,” he said. “Say what you know to be true.”
Gavina swallowed her pride, felt her heart beating to the point that she felt as if she was choking, and said: “I love ye. Truly. Mair than I would hae cared tae admit. I dinnae want tae see harm befall ye, Christian. I value ye mair than ye can even ken…”
Christian stood for a few moments. It felt good for Gavina to admit the truth—but he was worried that it was far too late.
“What?” Gavina said, sensing the turmoil within him. “Something weighs on ye.”
Christian nodded. “I fear,” he said, gaze directed toward the ground, “that the time for all of that has passed.”
Gavina’s heart beat faster. “What dae ye mean?”
“Look at what our love has done. It has created tension among yer clan, and it nearly got me killed as a result.”
She held her hands up pleadingly. “All of that has passed. I can assure ye!”
“But it still worries me so. Gavina, look what you have put me through. Look at where I am! This is not what love is supposed to be.”
“I made a mistake.”
“And perhaps I did as well…”
Gavina swallowed her fears. “I dinnae what ye want me tae say, Christian…I dinnae…”
He wrapped his hands around hers on the bars, the two of them sharing a comforting embrace. “I do love you,” he said. “But love can sometimes be misguided. It can be misplaced. Perhaps…” he sighed. “Perhaps this is one of those misguided types of love.” He removed his hands from hers and turned away.
“Christian,” Gavina said, trembling. “What are ye trying tae say?”
He sighed. “I will fight with you and your people. I will stay true to my word…But you and I can never be. Too much strife has already been created as a result of it.”
She felt herself fighting back tears. “So,” she said, “that is all? That is the way it will be?”